We know there are many incredible arts education programs and arts experiences happening in the schools across our county. But to date there’s been no comprehensive picture of arts education offerings and enrollment in each school and district. Last year we embarked on a pilot arts education data mapping project for Santa Cruz County. The full report and preliminary findings were released Fall 2017 and can be viewed here.

Recent Online Resources

Arts Education Navigator
A new series of arts educational e-books from Americans for the Arts. The first e-book details data showing the impact of the arts on students, the decrease in the amount of funding and time for the arts in schools, etc. All of the e-books have big, colorful charts.Visit the Website

A Policy Pathway: Embracing Arts Education to Achieve Title 1 Goals
California Alliance for Arts Education’s April 2013 policy paper on the status of arts education in California schools. This is the first statewide study done since 2004.Download the PDF

The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth
Findings from four longitudinal studies by James Catterall and colleagues. The paper contains lots of data on the impact of arts education with low-income, marginalized children and youth.Download the PDF

Nationally

Preparing Students for the Next America
A colorful advocacy brochure featuring talking points, though little hard data, on why the arts are essential to a quality education. This could be a useful handout for school board meetings, etc.Download the PDF